A Hertfordshire Police officer was dismissed yesterday (Thursday) after a panel concluded that he took part in “sexual activity” with a vulnerable woman.

PC Andrew Sweeney was relieved of his duties following a Misconduct Hearing, which found he had breached the Standards of Professional Behaviour – amounting to gross misconduct.

A police spokeswoman said: “The findings relate to an incident on the September 1, 2016, when PC Sweeney was on duty and gave a vulnerable female member of the public a lift home in a marked police vehicle.

“During the journey, telephone numbers were exchanged and messages sent between the parties.

“Once PC Sweeney finished his tour of duty, he visited the home address of the female where a consensual sexual activity took place.”

Deputy Chief Constable Michelle Dunn branded the former Hertford-based officer’s behaviour “totally unacceptable”, and welcomed the decision to dismiss him without notice.

She added: “He grossly breached the high standards of professional conduct and ethical behaviour that we and the public expect from the police service.

“There is no place in Hertfordshire Constabulary for those who exploit vulnerable people, especially when we should be there to protect and support them.”